This Day in History: March 22
World Water Day
World Water Day is celebrated on March 22 every year. The United Nations General Assembly declared World Water Day in 1993 to raise public awareness about water conservation and the importance of water. The day was first proposed in Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. The first World Water Day was held in 1993.
Birth of Robert Andrews Millikan
Robert Andrews Millikan was a prominent American physicist. He was born in 1868. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1923 for his work on the fundamental measurement of electric charge, specifically the photoelectric effect. Millikan graduated from Oberlin College in 1891. He received his doctorate from Columbia University in 1895. In 1909, Millikan began several experiments to determine the electric charge of the electron, eventually succeeding.
Kanta Rao Death Anniversary
Tadepalli Lakshmi Kantha Rao, also known as Kanta Rao, was a celebrated actor and producer in Telugu cinema. Born on November 16, 1923, in Gudibanda village of Kodad mandal, Suryapet district, Kanta Rao excelled in portraying diverse characters across social, folk, and mythological genres. He made his debut with the film “Nirdoshi” and went on to receive the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 2000 for his valuable contributions to the film industry.
Death of Gemini Ganesan
Gemini Ganesan was a popular Tamil actor who also acted in numerous Telugu and Hindi films. He was married to Mahanati Savitri. Born on November 17, 1920, in Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, Gemini Ganesan initially pursued a career in academia, working as a lecturer in Madras after graduating in science. He later transitioned to acting, becoming known for both leading and character roles. He passed away due to illness in 2005.
Other Historical Events on March 22
- 1739: Nadir Shah invades Delhi and usurps the Peacock Throne.
- 1946: Jordan gained independence from British rule.
- 1957: The Government of India adopted the Saka year as the National Year. This calendar, with 365 days and 12 months, starts on March 22. It corresponds to March 21 in a leap year.
- 1960: Arthur Leonard and Charles H. Townes receive the first patent for a laser.
- 2000: India’s artificial satellite Insat-3B was successfully launched.
